“You can run but you can’t hide”

GEORGE TOWN – A 29-year-old fugitive burglar was nabbed in a police ambush at a motel here on Christmas eve, with authorities also recovering house-breaking equipment and around 20 Mickey Mouse figurines.

The man, who is wanted for skipping bail for seven burglary cases pending in court, was detained together with a 24-year-old female companion at 3.40am on December 23.

Among the items found in the motel room where the couple were arrested include two electronic toy cars, the Mickey Mouse figurines, four netbooks, two laptops, walkie-talkies, apparel with price tags still attached and equipment believed to be used for breaking into houses.

“We believe the couple is involved in 30 over burglary cases in George Town, especially in Sungai Nibong and Jelutong,” George Town OCPD ACP Gan Kong Meng told a press conference today.

He said about RM20,000 worth of items were recovered from the motel room where the couple were detained.

“We also found pills believed to be drugs in the room at a motel in Tanjung Tokong,” he said.

He said the couple have been remanded and both tested positive for drug use.

“We believe they have been selling the loot they stole to feed their drug habit,” he said.

He said the male suspect’s modus operandi was to break into houses when the owners were out and steal valuables such as cash, electronic items and jewellery.

“It is only recently that we find he had also started stealing toys like the Mickey Mouse figurines from the houses he broke into; maybe it’s to please his new girlfriend,” ACP Gan said.

He said the suspect used to operate alone when he was charged with the earlier seven house breaking cases.

Police are currently investigating the offences under Section 457 of the Penal Code, which allows for a maximum jail term of 14 years, whipping or a fine upon conviction. – MI